Tag: Boxing with Chris Mannix

Teofimo Lopez could stay at 135 after Vasiliy Lomachenko fight

Teofimo Lopez said he could stay at 135 pounds after he fights Vasiliy Lomachenko because of the opportunities in that division.

The assumption has been that Teofimo Lopez would move up to 140 pounds whether he wins, loses or draws in his lightweight tile-unification fight with Vasiliy Lomachenko.

Lopez has admittedly had trouble making the 135-pound limit. However, after the Lomachenko fight, tentatively set for Oct. 3, there are many big fights to be made in the division. Lopez could potentially square off with rising stars Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia and Gervonta Davis.

Lopez said on DAZN’s “Boxing with Chris Mannix” that he would be willing to stay at lightweight if fights against those names could materialize.

“Absolutely,” Lopez said. “I think with the Richard Commey fight, I made weight very easy. I didn’t expect it to be that easy. I know I can definitely make 135 again very smooth.

“I just need to make sure ‘Little Diva’ (Lomachenko) isn’t hiding in Egis’ (Klimas, Lomachenko’s manager) room in his guest house during this quarantine because he’s out there right now. People think he’s in Ukraine, but he’s not. He’s in [Los Angeles]. He’s back.

With those names mentioned, along with Lopez and Lomachenko, the lightweight division has become one of the most star-studded weight classes. And should Lopez defeat arguably the best fighter pound-for-pound to become the unified champion, then “The Lopez Era” will be underway.

“You have Shakur Stevenson, Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia, ‘Tank Davis,” Lopez said. “The list goes on and on. These guys all have something, some type of attribute that makes the fans want to see them more. I’m very happy to be in that era now.

“Teofimo Lopez is the one that’s definitely going to take over. How we’re going to start, it is with this guy (Lomachenko) on Oct. 3.”

Video: Teofimo Lopez ready for Oct. 3 clash with Vasiliy Lomachenko

Teofimo Lopez reiterated that the target date for his lightweight title-unification showdown with Vasiliy Lomachenko is Oct. 3.

Teofimo Lopez reiterated that the target date for his lightweight title-unification showdown with Vasiliy Lomachenko is Oct. 3, although contracts have yet to been signed.

And while it’s presumed that the fight will take place in the MGM Grand bubble in Las Vegas, the home of Top Rank’s shows during the coronavirus pandemic, Lopez holds out hope that spectators will be allowed to watch the fight in person.

This matchup, he said on the Boxing with Chris Mannix show, is too big to be staged behind closed doors.

The fight was originally targeted for March 30 at Madison Square Garden in New York City and then moved to Sept. 19 but was pushed back both times because of COVID-19.

Here’s Mannix’s interview with Lopez. Video courtesy of  DAZN.

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Video: Oscar De La Hoya says word on Canelo opponent coming soon

Oscar De La Hoya, the promoter of Canelo Alvarez, says he and his team work every day in an effort to find their superstar fighter an appropriate opponent. It hasn’t been easy, evidently. Money, the promoters say, is limited because of the …

Oscar De La Hoya, the promoter of Canelo Alvarez, says he and his team work every day in an effort to find their superstar fighter an appropriate opponent.

It hasn’t been easy, evidently.

Money, the promoters say, is limited because of the coronavirus pandemic — for example, no spectators means no live-gate profits — yet any prospective foe still wants a lot of it.

The list of possibilities has been long. It has included: Billy Joe Saunders, Sergiy Derevyanchenko, Callum Smith, John Ryder, David Lemieux and Anthony Dirrell. And others have enthusiastically expressed interest.

Some of those fighters remain in the mix, some don’t, as the world awaits news of who it will be.

In this episode of Boxing with Chris Mannix, the DAZN commentator asks De La Hoya about the selection process and when we can expect an announcement. Here’s what De La Hoya had to say.

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Video: Callum Smith discusses family business — boxing

We all should feel for boxing mothers, whose sons and daughters risk their well being to follow their dreams. Ask any of the moms: It’s difficult. And we should have an abundance of sympathy for one mother in particular in Liverpool, England: She …

We all should feel for boxing mothers, whose sons and daughters risk their well being to follow their dreams. Ask any of the moms: It’s difficult.

And we should have an abundance of sympathy for one mother in particular in Liverpool, England: She has FOUR … yes, four … sons who box professionally.

Of course, we’re talking about the Smith brothers, Callum, Liam, Stephen and Paul, all of whom have enjoyed success. They have an impressive combined record of 122-13-1.

In this episode of Boxing with Chris Mannix, the DAZN commentator interviews the youngest and best of the lot — Callum Smith — about what it’s like being part of a boxing family and how mom copes.

Here’s what he had to say.

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Video: Mikey Garcia still has sights set on Manny Pacquiao

Mikey Garcia vs. Manny Pacquiao? Sounds like it remains a realistic possibility. A spokesman for Pacquiao reportedly said that the Filipino icon remains interested in facing Garcia in his next fight. And Garcia greeted that news with great …

Mikey Garcia vs. Manny Pacquiao? Sounds like it remains a realistic possibility.

A spokesman for Pacquiao reportedly said that the Filipino icon remains interested in facing Garcia in his next fight. And Garcia greeted that news with great enthusiasm.

The matchup makes sense for a number of reasons. Pacquiao wants only big fights at this stage of his career. Garcia, popular and successful, fits the bill. They are both small welterweights, meaning neither would have an advantage in that regard.

And the fight will be perceived as a toss-up. A strong case can be made for both fighters.

In this episode of Boxing with Chris Mannix, DAZN commentator Chris Mannix interviews Mikey Garcia about the potential showdown with Pacquiao.

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Video: Chris Mannix: How significant is Fury-Joshua agreement?

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have agreed to financial terms for two fights next year, according to multiple reports. However, the heavyweight titleholders must get past other opponents first before the all-British heavyweight title-unification bout …

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have agreed to financial terms for two fights next year, according to multiple reports.

However, the heavyweight titleholders must get past other opponents first before the all-British heavyweight title-unification bout could become a reality.

Fury is expected to fight Deontay Wilder a third time while Joshua will defend against Kubrat Pulev. Both of those fights are expected to take place before the end of the year, although the sites have not been determined.

In this episode of Boxing with Chris Mannix, the DAZN commentator and guest Lance Pugmire of The Athletic discuss the Fury-Joshua agreement and the magnitude of the obstacles.

Here’s what they had to say.

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Video: Freddie Roach stole Mike Tyson’s plane, lived to tell about it

Trainer Freddie Roach worked with Mike Tyson toward the end of his career. He spoke to Chris Mannix about his experiences.

Trainer Freddie Roach worked with Mike Tyson toward the end of his career. That includes Tyson’s final victory, a sixth-round knockout of Clifford Etienne in February 2003.

That also includes some amusing tales, including one in which Roach angered Tyson by using one of the fighter’s planes without clearing it with him first in the lead up to the Etienne fight.

Roach also gave his thoughts on Tyson’s career. One example: The Hall of Fame trainer believes Tyson’s legacy was severely damaged by the four-plus years he spent out of boxing because of his prison term.

In this episode of Boxing with Chris Mannix, the DAZN commentator spoke with Roach about these topics and more.

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Video: Ray Leonard says Roberto Duran punched him hardest

In this episode of “Boxing with Chris Mannix,” Sugar Ray Leonard speaks in detail about both of his fights with Roberto Duran.

Sugar Ray Leonard experienced the first setback of his career against Roberto Duran in their classic first fight in June 1980 in Montreal.

Leonard allowed the fiery Panamanian to goad him into a brawl, which didn’t serve him well. The fight was competitive but Duran emerged with a close decision to take Leonard’s welterweight title.

In the “No Mas” rematch, five months later in New Orleans, Leonard frustrated Duran with his movement and taunting to such a degree that the champion quit in the eighth round.

In this episode of “Boxing with Chris Mannix,” Leonard speaks in detail about both of those fights with Duran.

One take away from the first meeting: “I’ve never been hurt as much by a fighter in my career as Duran.”

Here’s what Leonard had to say, courtesy of DAZN.

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Video: Ray Leonard says he was at his best vs. Hearns, Hagler

Sugar Ray Leonard told Chris Mannix that he was at his very best in his first fight with Thomas Hearns and in his upset of Marvin Hagler.

Sugar Ray Leonard gave many superb performances in his Hall of Fame career, which is why he’s considered one of the greatest boxers of all time.

But in which fight was he at his very best?

Leonard was asked that question on the Boxing with Chris Mannix show recently. He responded with two fights: his first of two with Thomas Hearns, in 1981, and his upset of Marvin Hagler after a three-year layoff, in 1987.

“Each of those fights required 100 percent out of me,” he told Mannix.

Listen to what Leonard had to say about those fights and more, courtesy of DAZN.

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Video: Anthony Joshua on Deontay Wilder-Tyson Fury III, other topics

Anthony Joshua recently appeared on the “Chris Mannix on Boxing” show to discuss his wild ride and other topics.

To say Anthony Joshua had an eventful 2019 is an understatement.

The former Olympic champion lost his heavyweight titles to Andy Ruiz Jr. by a shocking seventh-round knockout in June only to outbox Ruiz to win a decision and regain his belts in December.

Now he’s looking forward to a title defense against Kubrat Pulev – whenever the coronavirus situation allows it – and an eventual showdown with Tyson Fury.

Joshua recently appeared on the “Chris Mannix on Boxing” show to discuss his wild ride and other topics, including trash talking, how Deontay Wilder-Fury III might play out and a look ahead to the Pulev fight.

Here’s the full interview, courtesy of DAZN.

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